Anything to watch out for? We haven't bought a car in 7 yrs, although I've wanted to for a long time.

I'm coming out of an F250, so it'll be night an day for me, but I commute about 40 miles r/t in some pretty horrible traffic. So looking for creature comforts, and decent gas mileage (although anything would likely be better than my truck) and reliability.

The CC is on a short list for me. Along w/the Kia Optima. I think the Kia edges out a little on looks, but I was surprised at how expensive they can be w/a few options on them. The CC is the only VW that I like at all.

We have a partner program w/my employer that gets me $500 below invoice and they're offering 0% for 72 months on the '13 CC's...

I've considered other cars like A4, but to get any "extras" I'd be over $40k. That's just too much for me. plus it's hard to compete w/0 for 72. There just aren't really any other "sedans" out there that appeal to me aesthetically. I like the 2013 Ford Fusion, but it's not out yet and when it comes out also won't likely have any financing incentives (since it's a re-designed model for this year...don't care for the 2012's).

any huge red flags with the CC? Looks like I've got the green light from my wife...

My Wife's 04' Jetta has over 125K and no problems reliability wise. Did water pump, timing belt, etc. at 100K. Other than that just basic maintenance. It is a noisy car though, could use more sound deadening, but it is an o4'.

I am also selling my F150 to get into a car right now. I considered the CC but i am pretty sure the sunroof doesn't open which I couldn't get past. Ended up going with an Acura TL SH-AWD with a manual tranny. PIcking it up Saturday.

Ian, what are you going to pull the boat with? I like the TL a lot. Of all of the cars I have owned, I like the two Acuras I had the best. The CC is a great looking car but the moonroof would have killed me as well. Mine is open 90% of the time the temp is about 55.

My Wife's 04' Jetta has over 125K and no problems reliability wise. Did water pump, timing belt, etc. at 100K. Other than that just basic maintenance. It is a noisy car though, could use more sound deadening, but it is an o4'.

If you are concerned about out of pocket expenses, i'd consider getting something with a timing chain. A timing belt and new water pump are more in repairs than i've had in total on my car with 235K on it.

water pump, timing belt, etc, i'd be concerned what the etc is. I litterally only did brakes, transmition fluid, plugs/wires, flush radiator, tires, and oil changes until i hit 195K, at which time both the fuel pump, and the head gasket blew at the same time. $1500 in total for both, don't get me wrong, i LOVE the drive of VW, but i'm not so crazy about the cost of ownership on them.

This is not intended to slam the guy who posted this, just pointing out that to me, just a timing belt alone is an expensive expense.

It's the LR6 Lux. (V6). I had settled on (and more importantly got the wife to agree to the price of) the 2.0 Lux. but then I haggled them down to w/in $1500 drive out on the V6 Lux which has WAY more options. albeit options that are fairly common and/or standard on competitors...

The internet is a car salesman's enemy... and my friend According to Edmunds, I ended up about $1800 under invoice, and almost $2grand under TMV. so I think I came out alright. Thanks mostly to a dealership in Irving Tx that posted a ridiculous "Internet" price which I used as leverage locally.

The exhaust is different for sure....but I will not have that setup. I like more conventional on my Ghia. Stock Muffler, with twin tips. Anyway its a VW so thought it would be fun to post. Will post mine when I am done with it.